Maintenance

January 11 2023

9 Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm this Winter

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Information homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, prevention, tips, winter

You want your home to be warm and comfortable during the winter, but sometimes the cold finds its way indoors. There are some steps you can take before winter and during the colder months to keep your home warm. Read on for 9 tips that may help keep your home warm without increasing energy costs. 1) Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed Window caulking is a good way to seal your windows for winter, and it can be done in a few easy steps. Heat shrink film is another good idea for windows, while door draft stoppers can combat cold air coming in through the bottom of a door. 2) Use dampers effectively A damper is a plate that controls the flow of air through a home’s ductwork, and knowing how to adjust them to regulate temperatures can keep your home comfortable. Because hot air rises, you can close the dampers on ducts going to the top floors of your home, and open the dampers for the lower floors so those areas stay warm. 3) Clean the vents Clean out your HVAC system at least once per year to help ensure proper airflow and decrease the amount of […]

October 10 2022

Fire Safety Tips For Your Home

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Information, Safety homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, safety

Certain hazards and disasters like floods, winds and snow are out of your control as a homeowner, but there are certain steps you can take to prevent fires from starting inside your home. Although fires are a hazard that you would rather not think about, it’s still important to consider fire prevention measures. From smoke alarm maintenance to evaluating your home’s electrical components, you can take proactive steps to ensure your home is safe from potential fire hazards. Read on for fire safety tips for your home and signs home inspectors look for when assessing a home’s fire safety readiness. Check Your Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms are probably the first fire prevention measure that most homeowners consider when ensuring a home is safe from fire hazards. Keeping your smoke alarms in good working condition is a key step in fire prevention. Follow these three tips for maintaining smoke alarms in your home: Carbon Monoxide Detectors In addition to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors not only save lives, they are required by Washington State law. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion from vehicles or common appliances around your home such as gas powered lawn equipment, ovens, stoves, and furnaces. […]

September 19 2022

What are Warning Signs of a Damaged Foundation?

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information foundation, homeowners, Maintenance, safety

7 Common Foundation Issues A foundation upholds the structure of a home, so it must be in good condition to ensure that your home is safe for you and your family. However, over time, foundations may develop issues that need to be addressed. It’s best to identify problems as soon as possible to help avoid costly repairs in the long run. Here are seven common foundation problems that you may be able to observe on your own before you call in a professional. Doors or Windows Not Fitting Homeowners often blame sticking windows and doors on humidity or temperature changes; but, it could also be a sign of foundation issues. If you notice that your windows or doors are sticking or misaligned, your home’s foundation may be shifting or settling. When cracks develop around doors or windows, or if they’re starting to separate from the walls and don’t work properly, you should call a professional. Exterior or Interior Cracks Cracks that form outside your home along the foundation can signal serious issues. If the soil around the foundation is too wet from improper drainage, it can cause the foundation to crack. You may also notice cracks in kitchen or bathroom tiles […]

August 22 2022

Dryer Vent Safety

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Information, Safety dryer vents, homeowners, Maintenance, safety

The Importance of Keeping Your Dryer Vents Clean You depend on your dryer to tackle loads of clean clothes and to keep laundry day moving, which is why it’s important to care for your dryer’s vent system. If a dryer vent or duct is not properly maintained, it may lead to a fire hazard. Follow this guide to learn more about how a dryer vent works, what can cause a dryer vent fire, and tips for keeping your dryer safe for use. How A Dryer Vent Works A dryer works by using either electric or gas power to create a system of heat, tumbling and air flow. First, the dryer draws in room temperature air and heats it using a heating element or burner. At the same time, a motor turns the drum of the dryer, allowing the damp clothing to tumble around while air circulates around the clothes. When hot air moves around the damp clothes, it creates steam that evaporates and is pushed out of the dryer by passing through a vent or an exhaust duct that opens to the outside of your home. What Can Cause a Fire As the steam and evaporated air is transferred out of the […]

August 8 2022

What is a Home Warranty?

Robert JonesHome Maintenance, Information home warranty, homeowners, Maintenance, Repairs

Decide If a Home Warranty Is Right for You If you’re in the market for a new home, you may have heard about home warranties or been asked if you’d like to purchase one. Among all the home-buying jargon you’ll be faced with on your real estate journey, “home warranty” is certainly a term you’ll want to research and learn more about before making a decision. Read on for more information about what a home warranty is, what it’s designed to do and how it may (or may not) be helpful for you in the future as a homeowner. What is a home warranty? A home warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a warranty company that provides discounted repair or replacement services on home components like plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC and furnaces. A home warranty can also cover home appliances and add-ons like swimming pools, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, garbage disposals and washers/dryers. A home warranty does not cover windows, flooring, walls or sprinkler systems. It’s possible that the seller of a home may offer to purchase a home warranty on your behalf to provide assurance that if any home component breaks down, it can be fixed at an […]

July 25 2022

Dealing With Termites in Your Home

Robert JonesHome Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information inspection, Maintenance, prevention, Repairs

How to Prevent, Identify and Eliminate Termites There’s about 40 different species of termites that can be found in the U.S. and they cause approximately $5 billion in damage each year. Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover termite damage. If you suspect that your home has termites, or if your home inspector has identified some termite red flags, read on for more info about how to deal with and prevent termite damage. What are termites? Termites are insects with wings of equal length that live in underground colonies. They feast on decomposing plant materials and live in societies structured around a queen, soldiers and workers. Termites may look similar to ants, but they have straight antennae and thicker abdomens than ants. Termites cannot chew through concrete, but they can crawl through tiny cracks within concrete to get to wooden beams and structures within your home. Where do they come from and what causes infestations? Certain species of subterranean termites are native to the Western and Eastern United States. Formosan termites were brought over to North America a few centuries ago and can destroy wood structures faster than other native subterranean species. Subterranean termites come up through the ground and into your […]